Lens clip and bulb retainer



June 28, 1960 N. R. SCHWARTZ 2,943,187

LENS CLIP AND BULB RETAINER Filed Jan. 29, 1957 IN V EN TOR. A44 THHN E. Jam/me 72 2,943,187 Patented June 28, 1960,

2,943,187 LENS CLIP AND BULB RETAINER Nathan Schwartz, Brooklyn, N.Y., assignor to Naras lesearch Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New ork Filed Jan. 29, 1957, Ser. No. 636,917

- 8 Claims. (Cl. 240-151) generally frusto-conical configuration as exemplified in typical flood or spot lights. g

In accordance with the presentinventiona structure has been devised wherein a lens: clip and bulb 'retainerhas been'provided which will maintain removable-and interchangeable lenses in the desired operative position in front a flexible. metallic or plastic piece is somewhat resilient 'of a light bulb and will, at the same time, provide for the placing'of the bulb within the housing of the lens clip at a desired predetermined distance from the lens.

Thus, in accordance with this invention, means are provided for supporting the lens and bulb in the desired spaced-apart relationship in order that the light beam emanating from the bulb may be properly directed.

Accordingly, it is one object of this invention to provide a lens clip and bulb retainer which will in a single unitary structure provide means for suitably retaining both q a lens and the bulb which serves as the light source for the lens.

Another object of this invention is to provide, in a lens clip, a single spring means whereby a bulb insertible into the interior of the lens clip structure may be readily removed or replaced therein and yet maintained in the desired position.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a lens clip structure which incorporates a spring retaining means for a removable and replaceable bulb, and at the same time has, secured thereto retaining means for a removable and replaceable lens, thereby providing for the ready interchanging of lenses without necessitating the removal-of the bulb. I

These and other objects will become more apparent from the description and drawings which follow andin which:

Figure 1 is a top view of the lens clip structure of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a botton view of this structure.

Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the device of the present invention taken along the lines 3-3 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is another side View ofthis novel lens clip in which the device is not cut away and the exterior thereof may be seen as well as the bulb retained therein.

Figure 5 is a sectional view showing in detail a particular lens retaining means employed in the present invention. This view istaken along the lines 5-5 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction ofthe arrows.

' "Figure 6 is a sectional view showing in detail the brackets usedin the present invention, and is a sectional view taken along'the lines 6-6 of Figure l and looking in the directionof the arrows. V p g "Essentially; the present invention comprises a lens clip structure which includes a unitary ring-like housing, each edge of said housing being turned inwardly to form a flange. The housing is further provided with a plurality of brackets which are spacedly secured to the inner face thereof. Each of said brackets is provided near one end thereof with means to limit the inward movement of a bulb lens. The brackets further have secured thereto, near the other endthereof, means for urging a bulb against the said brackets. The particular bulb urging means employed comprises a spring member, preferably a single spring in the form of a triangle, each apex of which is secured to the brackets, preferably by suitable hook means. In the present device there is also provided a plurality of spring clips spacedly secured to the inner face of the lens clip housing which provide a means for limiting the outward movement of the lens,

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, it can be seen that the lens clip structurehere involved comprises a unitary ring-like housing 10 having a generally cylindrical construction. The edges ofsaid housing are turned inwardly at either end thereof so as to form. upper and lower flanges 11 and 12 respectively. At the edge having the flange 12 there is also provided a ring shaped lens retaining means 14-. This lens retaining means is supported by brackets 15 near the endsof the said brackets which are secured to the flange 12. 2

Thus, the ring-like member 14 which is usually made of and may be depressed inwardly supporting brackets 15.

In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1, the brackets 15 are equidistantly spaced, and because of the circular cross-section of the housing, a straight line drawn between. the brackets will form an equilateral polygon.

in the spaces between the The end of the brackets secured near the flange member llhare secured to the inside of the housing by rivets or other suitable means 20. This end of the brackets carries so as to form an equilateral polygom Since it is gen- 7 erallypreferred, for simplicity and economy of constructhan, to employ only three brackets, the spring member will usually be in the form of an equilateral triangle.

7 fThe bulb 30 will generally be of the incandescent type having an outwardly flaring portion 34 so as to be readily engageable-with spring member 26. Typical bulbs of this type are flood and spot lamps of the type having a general firusto-conical cross-section. The lens32 may be of any preselected ,color and further may be concave, convex An important feature in the present invention is that through the axial bias of the spring 26 the bulb is seated against the inturned portion 19 of the bracket 15, which acts as the bulb seat, so that the bulb may be maintained in the most effective predetermined positioning with respect to the lens. Attention is also called/to the fact that the bulb is centered by the single spring means, so that if a convex type lens is used the beam fromthe bulb may be more accurately directed.

The ring-like member 14 restricts the inward movement of lens 32. In order to restrict the outward movement thereof, and firmly secure the lens in place, a plurality of spring clipsdtl are provided, the extensions of which 41 may be manually bent inwardly. This inward bending ofthe springclips provides a means for contacting'the outer surface 'of lens 32., and thus the lens I is rigidly secured between the extension. 41'and the'riiiglike member 14. The spring clips are anchored to the housing by suitable rivets or bolts 45. The spring clips are curved in such a manner that because of their anchoring only at 45 they are flexible in a radial direction and thus, by pushing outwardly on extensions 41, the lens clip may be readily released.

The present device, therefore, is not only suitable to maintain the bulb and lens rigidly in a predetermined relationship, but will also accommodate either the simple removal and replacement of the bulb without disturbing the lens, or the removal and replacement of a given lens without necessitating the removal of the bulb.

Although this invention has been described with respect to its preferred embodiments it should be understood that many variations and modifications will now be obvious to those skilled in the art, and it is therefore preferred that the scope of the invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein but only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A lens clip comprising a unitary ring-like housing, each edge of said housing being turned inwardly to form a flange; a plurality of brackets spacedly secured to the inner face of said housing, each of said brackets being provided, near one end thereof, with means to limit the inward movement of a bulb lens by providing a seat therefor; said brackets further having secured thereto, near the other end thereof and extending between adjacent ones of said brackets, spring means operatively positioned for urging a bulb in a direction toward said lens against the said brackets.

2. A lens clip comprising a unitary ring-like housing, each edge of said housing being turned inwardly to form a flange; a plurality of brackets spacedly secured to the inner face of said housing, each of said brackets having secured thereto near one end thereof, ring means for limiting the inward movement of a bulb lens by providing a seat therefor; said brackets further having secured thereto, near the other end thereof and extending between adjacent ones of said brackets, a single spring means operatively positioned for urging a bulb in a direction toward said lens against the said brackets when said lens clip is mounted to a bulb.

3. A lens clip and bulb retaining device comprising a unitary, ring-like housing, each edge of said housing being turned inwardly to form a flange; three brackets equidistantly spaced secured to the inner face of said housing, each of said brackets having secured thereto near one end thereof, ring means for limiting the inward 'movement of a bulb lens by providing a seat therefor;

said brackets further having hooks secured thereto, near the other end thereof, said hooks engaging a triangular spring; said triangular spring comprising means for urging a bulb in a direction toward said lens against the said brackets.

4. A lens clip and bulb retaining device adapted to be supported by a bulb comprising a unitary ring-like housing, each edge of said housing being turned inwardly to form a flange; a plurality of spring clips spacedly secured to the inner face of said housing to limit the outward movement of a bulb lens; a plurality of brackets spacedly secured to the inner face of said housing, each of said brackets being provided, near one end thereof, with means to limit the inward movement of a bulb lens by providing a seat therefor; said brackets further having secured thereto near the other end thereof a single coil spring means for urging a bulb in a direction toward said lens against the said brackets; said single spring means extending between said plurality of brackets and being anchored thereto.

I 5. A lens clip and bulb retainer comprising a unitary ring-like housing, each edge of said housing being turned inwardly to form a flange; a plurality of spring clips spacedly secured to the inner face of said housing to limit the outward movement of a bulb lens; a plurality of brackets spacedly secured to the inner face of said housing, each of said brackets having secured thereto near one end thereof, ring means for limiting the inward movement of a bulb lens by providing a seat therefor; said brackets further having secured thereto, near the other end thereof, a single spring means for urging a bulb in a direction toward said lens against the said brackets, said spring means extending between said brackets in the form of a polygon, said single spring means being operatively positioned to engage and be extended by a bulb when said bulb is mounted within said lens clip and bulb retainer.

6. A lens clip and bulb retainer comprising a unitary, ring-like housing, each edge of said housing being turned inwardly to form a, flange; a plurality of spring clips spacedly secured to the inner face of said housing to limit the outward movement of a bulb lens; three brackets spacedly secured to the inner face of said housing at equidistant intervals; ring means for limiting the inward movement of a bulb lens secured to said brackets near one end thereof; said brackets further having hooks secured thereto, near the other end thereof, a single spring means extending between said brackets and anchored thereto, said spring means being positioned by said brackets'into an equilateral triangular configuration comprising means for urging a bulb in a direction toward said lens against the said brackets.

'7. In-a lens clip and bulb-retaining device, a unitary ring-like housing, the edges of said housing being turned inwardly to form an upper and a lower flange, a bulb adapted to be entered into the housing through its upper flanged end, a plurality of brackets equidistantly spaced and secured to the inner face of said housing, said brackets being provided with an inturned portion for seating said bulb; a polygonal spring means removably anchored to an extension of said brackets above the upper flanged end of said housing for urging said bulb in a direction toward said lower flange against the seating portion of said brackets; and, near the lower flanged end of said housing, said brackets having secured thereto ring means for limiting the inward movement of a bulb lens; and directly secured to said housing near its lower flanged end, a plurality of spring clips operatively positioned for engagement with a bulb lens whereby said lens is re- "movably retained to said device and urged against said ring means for limiting the inward movement of the lens.

8. In a lens clip and bulb-retaining device, a unitary ring-like housing, the edges of said housing being turned inwardly to form an upper and a lower flange, a bulb adapted to be entered into the housing through its upper flanged end, three equidistantly spaced brackets secured 'to the inner face of said housing, said brackets being provided with an intu'rned portion for seating said bulb; a triangular single spring means removably anchored to an extension of said brackets above the upper flanged end of said housing for urging said bulb in a direction toward said lower flange against the seating portion of said brackets; and, near the lower flanged end of said housing, said brackets having secured thereto a bulb lens; ring means for limiting the inward movement of said bulb lens; and directly secured to said housing near its lower flanged end, a plurality of spring clips operatively positioned for engagement with a bulb lens whereby said lens is removably retained to said device and urged against said ring means for limiting the inward movement of the lens.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

